My view is probably skewed as the owner and chef of this restaurant is my cousin. However, I can safely say that this is one of the best restaurants in Lecce. The service is casual in a cool way, and the atmosphere is always great and friendly. This is the favorite spot for many locals, it’s a place where people come knowing they’ll meet some of their friends and where they are going to have great food and a good time in a relaxing yet giovial environment.
I am not sure how to define the food. Michele, Michael for some, has created a menu that is based on fresh local and very high quality ingredients but has also added some phantasy and innovation and a mix of dishes from other regions or cultures. The choice is not huge but actually most people, me included, go there to taste over and over again their favorite dishes. Mine are the beef tagliata and the millefoglie with cream.
There are usually 5-6 pasta based first courses, with a different selection of vegetables and meat or fish, depending on the season. Similarly, the summer’s second course menu will be mainly based around fish, including local raw fish, but you’ll always find some good meat if you prefer some. The desserts are awesome.
One of the reasons you want to go there is also because of the wine cellar. Corte dei Pandolfi started as a wine tasting bar, hence the convoluted name, and although it evolved in a fully fledged restaurant it has maintained the love for wine and other liqueurs. So, you’ll find many local wines as well as a very broad selection of some really good bottles from all over Italy and beyond.
Michael is an entertaining character and very much loved by all his customers, many of which are foreigners, going back to visit him everytime they are in Lecce.
Michele is open only in the evenings and you may need a reservation at weekends or for bigger tables. If you visit Lecce or Salento, you simply can’t miss a dinner there. You’d regret it.
And I’ll probably be there with my steak or a glass of grappa.
Piazzetta Orsini; +39 0832 332309; cortedeipandolfi.com
SalentoandOut 
I had the best steak ever at this wonderful restaurant. No doubt about it. Every mouthful was a slice of heaven in my mouth. The service was attentive, without being intrusive, informal without being haughtily casual, great atmosphere and Michele even comes out to the tables to have a chat with the clients to ensure all is well, etc. Highly recommend this place!
By: Julie N'Guyen on 18 August 2010
at 9:44 am